Year 12 

Reflection

Student Reflection 

by Kelly Hoang and Lauren Trang

Thursday the 18th of November. Finally, the day had come. Graduation. The day where we’d all leave this place, some after a six year journey, others after a three year journey. To say the least, we’ve pulled through one crazy rollercoaster ride - including two super unpredictable, tough years of VCE mostly in our pyjamas.

Graduating in “a year like no other” has posed an intriguing obstacle, yet a milestone in our lives. Although it may not have necessarily been the year that we had particularly anticipated, learning during a global pandemic has taught us how to be more resilient, adaptable and creative. 

Despite not being able to celebrate having a traditional muck up day nor a Valedictory dinner, we were fortunate enough to have Mr O’Neill and our Homeroom teachers organise a beautiful Liturgy for us to enjoy in the morning, where we went through various stations around the school; each class starting at a different position and rotating around every station (Celebration of Beginnings, Penitential Rite, Gospel Reading, Bread and Wine, Commitment Prayer & Reflection and Prayers of the Faithful). The Liturgy provided us with an opportunity to visit various places that held much significance across our time at Killester for the last time, as well as allowing us to truly reflect on our journey throughout our time here. 

A beautiful, big “Squid Game” themed banner was also made for us to celebrate our ‘elimination’! We were able to use it as a backdrop for photos with our friends and teachers. For lunch, we indulged in a lunch provided by the College, consisting of a selection of Cypriot grain salad with shredded lamb, crisp bread with hummus and tzatziki dips, cheddar cheese and crackers, chicken finger sandwiches, sushi, Vietnamese rice paper roll and fruit salad.

Six years ago as our high school journey was just beginning, we entered Kennedy Hall for the first time to receive our Year 7 badges. And just as we went up to receive our graduation certificate and gifts on Thursday afternoon, this was also the very last time we would be sitting together in Kennedy Hall. So many events have taken place in our beloved Kennedy Hall; from music performances, exhibitions, assemblies, masses and exams … the list goes on and on. Kennedy Hall brings forth an air of celebration, welcoming, tears, laughter, smiles; it is a place of countless memories. It reminds us that there is so much we can do ‘beyond the classroom’, for there are endless opportunities awaiting us in the bigger world.

The Awards Ceremony celebrated students who have left an imprint on the Killester community, as well as students who have gone above and beyond to reach both their academic goals, but also demonstrated the values of Killester. The Year 12 musicians, accompanied by other musicians from Year 10 and 11, performed ‘Valerie’ by Amy Winehouse to celebrate not only the significance music has played on our year level, but to simply perform together as a band one last time to have fun. Emotional, inspirational speeches were also made by the Year 12 Leadership Committees in reflection of the year, as well as our time at Killester. To close our Graduation with a high note, we had a Final Year Level Assembly where we received the opportunity to dress up! Some groups brought their fun and innovative side to the table, while other groups decided to opt for more simple fits. Nonetheless, it was a time for us to truly look back on our journey throughout Killester. Watching the compilation of videos compiled by students brought many waves of nostalgia. Seeing how young we were back in the days truly shows us how much we have grown into independent, strong and kind individuals of Killester College over the span of just a few years.

The past two years would not have been the same if not for the guidance, effort and support from the Year 12 teachers, the Leadership team, the office staff and everyone working behind the scenes. On behalf of the Class of 2021 cohort, we would like to acknowledge our gratitude and appreciation from the bottom of our hearts for everyone in the Killester College community, particularly Ms Auty, Mr Harte, Ms Buick, Ms Cannon, Mr O’Neill and Mr McPhail. There have been so many obstacles in the way but we’ve made it together! And lastly, of course, a big congratulations goes out to the Year 12 Class of 2021 for officially graduating! 

While this occasion may have marked the end of a thirteen year schooling chapter, it is really only the beginning of exciting things to come. 

Graduation Liturgy

Last Thursday was the Graduation Liturgy for Year 12 to start their final day of celebrations at Killester.

Students rotated through six stations as a class group. Each station represented part of a mass.

The Opening/beginnings

Reconciliation

The Gospel

Symbolic Bread and Wine 

Reflection on retreat

Prayers of the Faithful

We finished at the Tullow Centre after recess with our final prayers and a blessing from the Year 12 Homeroom teachers.

Congratulations to every student who showed enormous respect and reverence for the liturgy and every student participated  whether as a reader, or through some liturgical action. Thank you to all our Year 12 Homeroom teachers and all members  of the leadership team who lead the celebrations at every station.

It was a fitting and beautiful way to start the day as a precursor to the reception of their Graduation Certificates and final assembly.

Congratulations to our wonderful students and staff.

Peter O'Neill

AP Faith and Mission